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Grumman
Lunar Modules
The Apollo Lunar Module was build by
Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation for the Apollo program.
The Lunar Module is often referred to as the LM. This was
the first vehicle designed solely for manned extra-terrestrial
operation. On six moon landings, the Lunar Module carried
astronauts from the Apollo command module (CM) to the surface
of the moon and back. One mission, Apollo 13, was aborted
because of damage to the service module. The Lunar Module
saved the day for the Apollo 13 mission by providing the power
to return the crippled vehicle and its crew back to earth
safely.
The LM consists of two parts or stages
which are joined by four interstage fittings. The top of the
vehicle is the ascent
stage. It carried two astronauts along with the navigation,
guidance, control, communications, life support, environmental
control, electrical power and propulsion systems.
The lower part of the LM was the descent
stage. It carried the scientific equipment, a propulsion
system, additional electric power, water and oxygen for the
ascent stage. During the last 3 of the Apollo missions it
also carried the Lunar Rover Vehicle.
How did the LM travel to the Moon?
Diagram
shows the LM positioned inside the launch vehicle.(Larger
view of
diagram.)
At the end of a lunar visit, the interstage
fittings were severed by an explosive device. This allowed
the ascent stage to lift off and return the two member crew
to the orbiting command module where the third crew member
awaited them. The descent stage remained on the moon. The
ascent stage would dock with the command module so the two
astronauts on board could return to the command module. The
LM was then jettisoned into the moon's orbit and set to crash
into the moon's surface at a predetermined time.
Where are these Lunar Modules now?
The Apollo Command Module Capsules are on display at various
sites throughout the U.S. and the world. The Apollo Lunar
Modules were deliberately targeted to impact (crash into)
the Moon to provide artificial moonquake sources for seismic
experiments.Impact
Sites have been recorded and coordinates listed are from
the Manned Space Flight Network.
Apollo - Current Locations gives the locations of the
any Apollo crafts on displays and the LM crash sites. (http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apolloloc.html)
The history and typical specifications
of the Lunar Modules produced by Grumman for the Apollo program
are listed below. (Print friendly version of the chart
below.)
| Lunar
Module Number |
Mission |
Date of
moon landing |
Special
Notes |
| LM-1 |
Unmanned, earth orbit
mission |
None |
Apollo 5 - Earth orbital
test flight of unpiloted LM. LM
not recovered. |
| LM-2 |
Unmanned backup |
None |
not flown - now at
The National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution |
| LM-3 |
Manned, earth orbit
mission |
None |
Apollo 9 - simulated
in Earth orbit the operation of lunar module to landing
and takeoff from lunar surface and rejoining with command
module.LM
named Spider. Reading about the flight
of the LM. |
| LM-4 |
Manned, lunar orbit
mission |
None |
Apollo 10 - demonstrated
complete system including lunar module to 50,000 feet
from lunar surface.
LM named Snoopy. In heliocentric orbit. |
| LM-5 |
1st lunar landing |
July 20, 1969 |
Apollo 11 Mission
- first human landing on Moon. LM
named Eagle. Impact site unknown. |
| LM-6 |
2nd lunar landing |
Nov. 20, 1969 |
Apollo 12 Mission
- second human landing on Moon. Explored surface of Moon,
retrieved parts of Surveyor 3 spacecraft which landed
in Ocean of Storms on April 19. 1967.
LM named Intrepid. |
| LM-7 |
Mission
aborted in trans-lunar phase |
None |
Apollo
13 Mission Loss of service module electrical power. LM
served as rescue "lifeboat" and provided power
to return crippled spacecraft and crew safely back to
earth. LM
named Aquarius. LM burned up in Earth's atmosphere. |
| LM-8 |
3rd lunar landing |
Feb. 5, 1971 |
Apollo
14 Mission - Third human landing. Mission demonstrated
pinpoint landing capability and continued human exploration
of surface.LM
named Antares. Read about the landing
at Fra Mauro. |
| LM-9 |
Manned backup |
None |
not flown - now at
Kennedy Space Center |
| LM-10 |
4th lunar landing |
July 30, 1971 |
Apollo 15 Mission-
First of the Apollo "J" series which carried
Lunar
Roving Vehicle in LM Falcon. Read about problems
with the LM prior to launch. Read about the launch
and interesting notes about the LM and the mission turning
from "H" to "J" series and use of
destruct explosives on the LM. |
| LM-11 |
5th lunar landing |
April 20, 1972 |
Apollo 16 Mission
- carried Lunar
Roving Vehicle in LM Orion. Read about the landing
at Descartes. |
| LM-12 |
6th lunar landing |
Dec. 11, 1972 |
Apollo 17 Mission-
carried
Lunar Roving Vehicle in LM Challenger. Read about
the LM returning
to orbit and docking with CM. |
| LM-13 |
mission canceled |
none |
On display at Cradle of Aviation Museum,
Long Island |
| LM-14 |
mission canceled |
none |
On display at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia |
Specifications
| Spacecraft
part/load |
Weight |
|
Ascent
stage, inert
|
4,341
lb |
Scientific
equipment
|
406
lb |
Propellants
|
5,835
lb |
| Total
ascent stage |
10,582
lb |
Descent
stage, inert
|
4,921
lb |
Scientific
equipment
|
1,212
lb |
|
Propellants
|
19,507
lb |
| Total
descent stage |
25,640
lb |
| Overall
orbital spacecraft |
36,222
lb |
Note: The objects pictured
above are part of The Franklin Institute's protected collection
of objects. The images are © The Franklin Institute. All rights
are reserved.
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